Thormar Beorcolsson

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Meet the Thormar Beorcolsson of the Kraken clan in Stormfront, the village at the root of the mountains.

As stated by his last name, he’s the son of Beorcol Thorgrimsson who’s the Earl of the Kraken Clan in Stormfront village. His mother is Thorkatla Alvidottir.

He has two older brothers, Thorkel and Bothvar along with a younger sister named Svala and a younger brother named Bodvar.

His extended family includes two sisters of his mother, the older being Sigvor, the clan’s wise one and the younger being Ingithora, one of three wives of Koll Alriksson, and they will all be mentioned later in the companion along with Koll’s many children and grandchildren.

Thormar is most often known for his inventions, including his water purifier that can filter out the salt from the sea water to make it drinkable along with his Fire Spite, that uses strong alcohol to create a burst of flames. 

Read about these characters in Broken Souls, Book 1 of Seasons of the Cycle here on Aratheon.com for Free. Just click the link below.

Broken Souls, Book 1, Seasons of the Cycle

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Bothvar Beorcolsson

Meet the northern Viking and Main character in Broken Souls, Book 1 of Seasons of the Cycle, Bothvar Beorcolsson. 

As stated by his last name, he’s the son of Beorcol Thorgrimsson who’s the Earl of the Kraken Clan in Stormfront village. His mother is Thorkatla Alvidottir

He was married to Arngunn Hrutsdottir and fathered Hrut Bothvarsson. 

He has an older brother named Thorkel and three younger siblings named Thormar, Svala, and Bodvar. Svala being his only sister. Thorkel had a surviving daughter named Thora.

He’s the first to discover a glowing green metal ore with glowing green mushrooms that seem to grow nearby. He also discovered that drinking water saturated in the metal ore allows you to enhance your strength, speed, and bone/skin density while eating the mushrooms enhances your senses and increases the speed at which you naturally heal from wounds, sicknesses, and disease. The one major side effect is that they turn your skin a dark grey color. 

Bothvar has many titles he’s earned throughout his life, including Shadow Killer, Bringer of the Dawn, Giant Slayer, and Friend of the Yeti. You’ll have to read Broken Souls to learn how he earned these various titles. After much tragedy in life, losing various loved ones, Bothvar comes across an elven priest woman during a raid who is wrapped in mystery and knows fate has brought them together. To learn more about this, you’ll, of course, have to read Broken Souls. 

Read about these characters in Broken Souls, Book 1 of Seasons of the Cycle here on Aratheon.com for Free. Just click the link below.

Broken Souls, Book 1, Seasons of the Cycle

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Thorkel Beorcolsson

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Meet Thorkel Beorcolsson, the eldest son of Earl Beorcol Thorgrimsson and Thorkatla Alvidottir. Thorkel and Bothvar along with their younger siblings Thormar, Svala, and Bodvar have grown up in the once small village of Stormfront, hidden in the woods of the north beneath the dark mountains that line the shore of the dead sea.

He’s the captain of the ship called Wolf’s Bane with a crew of the wildest Vikings, but as close as family. They raid and plunder the ships of the elves of the Golden Company and any other ship daring to travel to and from Chillshore, the once great pride of the northern clans which was conquered and taken by the Southern Kingdom. Thorkel takes pride in his crew and his kin. He is usually accompanied everywhere by his younger brother Bothvar and their closest friends, Griotgard, Solmund, and Skardi along with two orphan sisters, Asfrid and Arngunn who end up marrying Thorkel and Bothvar.

Read about these characters in Broken Souls, Book 1 of Seasons of the Cycle here on Aratheon.com for FREE. Just click the link below.

Broken Souls, Book 1, Seasons of the Cycle

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Earl Beorcol Thorgrimsson

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Meet the father of my main character, Bothvar Beorcolsson in my book Broken Souls, Beorcol Thorgrimsson. He’s the Earl of Stormfront Village and the Kraken Clan. The reason that his skin color is grey in the two pictures is because they discovered a glowing green metal ore growing in the mountains to the north that has glowing green mushroom growing around it and they discovered if they drink water saturated with the metal it increases the potential strength and speed gained through training and hard work so they can become far stronger than any average human. In fact, you have to drink the water and strengthen your muscles through rigorous training just to be strong enough to even be able to pick the metal up. Eating the mushrooms enhances your senses and increases your ability to heal, healing the worst wounds overnight with some sleep. Combining the two vastly increases strength and speed gained from training due to the fact that the mushrooms increase the rate at that muscles recuperate and heal after the tears they endure from strength training.

Read about these characters in Broken Souls, Book 1 of Seasons of the Cycle here on Aratheon.com for FREE. Just click the link below.

Broken Souls, Book 1, Seasons of the Cycle

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Broken Souls Character Companion Guide

I’ve decided to create short character biographies of the important characters within Aratheon, starting with the main characters within the Seasons of the Cycle series (Book 1 Broken Souls available for free on Wattpad). This will probably be an ongoing series. I’ll be using heroforgeminis to provide visual images for the characters and I’ll do a separate book for the maps and places of Aratheon along with one about the creatures and monsters in Aratheon. 

Table of Contents:

The Northern Human Clans of Coderon

Earl Beorcol Thorgrimsson

Thorkel Beorcolsson

Bothvar Beorcolsson

Thormar Beorcolsson

Svala Beorcolsdottir

Bodvar Beorcolsson

Thorkatla Alvisdottir

Sigvor Alvisdottir

Ingithora Alvisdottir

Asfrid Hrutdottir

Arngunn Hrutdottir

Thora Thorkeldottir

Alvi Hallkelsson

Koll Alriksson

Svanhild Arnthordottir

Arnora Saksisdottir

Veleif Kollson

Halldora and Thorballa Cnutdottir

Aldis Veleifsdottir

Estrid Veleifsdottir

Hunbogi Veleifson

Asvor Veleifsdottir

Bolla Veleifsdottir

Frida Kolldottir

Svafar Kollson

Hallgerd Sigviddottir

Tofa Odinkardottir

Gudrik Svafarson

Greiland Kolldottir

Saxi Kollson

Arnbjorg Thorstardottir

Geirlaug Throstdottir

Starolf Saxison

Asfrid Kolldottir

Asgerd Kolldottir

Gilli Kollson

Hallberta Thorstardottir

Jofrid Sigviddottir

Hilde Gillisdottir

Tyrkir Kollson

Oddny Throstdottir

Yngvild Kolldottir

Varin Hialtisson

Appendix

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List of Mentioned Characters

Human Northerners

Kraken Clan

Listed by Family

  • The Earl of the Kraken Clan
    • Earl Beorcol Thorgrimsson
      • Father:
        • Thorgrim Hallkelsson
      • Siblings:
        • Thorkel Thorgrimsson
        • Borgar Thorgrimsson
    • Thorkatla Alvisdottir
      • Spouse:
        • Earl Beorcol Thorgrimsson
      • Father:
        • Alvi Hjortsson
      • Siblings:
        • Sigvor Alvisdottir
        • Ingithora Alvisdottir
    • Children of the Earl and their wives
      • Thorkel Beorcolsson
        • First son of Earl Beorcol Thorgrimsson
        • Spouse:
          • Asfrid Hrutdottir
      • Asfrid Hrutdottir
        • Spouse:
          • Thorkel Beorcolsson
        • Father:
          • Hrut
      • Thora Thorkelsdottir
        • Daughter of Thorkel Beorcolsson
      • Bothvar Beorcolsson
        • Second son of Earl Beorcol Thorgrimsson
        • Spouse:
          • Arngunn Hrutdottir
      • Arngunn Hrutdottir
        • Spouse:
          • Bothvar Beorcolsson
        • Father:
          • Hrut
      • Hrut Bothvarsson
        • First son of Bothvar Thorgrimsson
      • Thormar Beorcolsson
        • Third son of Earl Beorcol Thorgrimsson
      • Svala Beorcolsdottir
        • First daughter of Earl Beorcol Thorgrimsson and the fourth of his children
      • Bodvar Beorcolsson
        • Fourth son of Earl Beorcol Thorgrimsson and the fifth of his children
      • Alvi Hallkelsson
        • Father:
          • Hallkel Eyvaldsson
        • Siblings:
          • Thorgrim Hallkelsson
        • Nephews
          • Thorkel Thorgrimsson
          • Beorcol Thorgrimsson
          • Borgar Thorgrimsson
      • Gudrod
        • Alvi Hallkelsson’s ward
  • Thralls of the Earl
    • Thema
      • Race: High Elf
    • Semet
      • Race: Wood Elf
    • Olaurae
      • Race: High Elf
    • Morcar
      • Race: Human Southerner
    • Guthhere
      • Race: Human Southerner
    • Talindra Vana
      • Race: High Elf
  • The Wise One (Healer of the Kraken Clan)
    • Sigvor Alvisdottir
      • Daughter of Alvi Hjortsson
      • Siblings:
        • Thorkatla Alvisdottir
        • Ingithora Alvisdottir
  • Thralls of the Wise One
    • Lethvelion
      • Race: High Elf
    • Valindra
      • Race: High Elf
    • Renna
      • Race: High Elf
    • Larongar
      • Race: High Elf
    • Bealdthryth
      • Race: Human Priestess of the Light
    • Domneva
      • Race: Human Priestess of the Light
    • Bricheve
      • Race: Human Priestess of the Light
    • Calemund
      • Race: Human Priest of the Light
    • Botsige
      • Race: Human Priest of the Light
  • The Dwarven Blacksmith
    • Aldam Bronzehammer
      • Father:
        • Brukead Bronzehammer
      • Mother:
        • Ramelin Bronzehammer
      • Siblings:
        • Baggisli Bronzehammer
        • Oddim Bronzehammer
  • Members of Bothvar and Thorkel’s crew
    • Grimwald Hialtisson’s House
      • Grimwald Hialtisson
        • Father:
          • Hiatli
        • Sibling
          • Varin Hialtisson
          • Cnut Hialtisson (Deceased)
      • Children of Grimwald and their wives
        • Gudleif Grimwaldson
          • Father:
            • Grimwald Hialtisson
          • Spouse:
            • Audbjorg Saksidottir
        • Audbjorg Saksidottir
          • Spouse:
            • Gudleif Hialtisson
          • Father:
            • Saksis Gizorsson
          • Siblings:
            • Arnora Saksisdottir
            • Greiland Saksisdottir
            • Gizor Saksisson
        • Turid Gudleifsdottir
          • Father:
            • Gudleif Grimwaldson
          • Mother:
            • Audbjorg Saksidottir
        • Ottkatla Gudleifsdottir (deceased)
          • Father:
            • Gudleif Grimwaldson
          • Mother:
            • Audbjorg Saksidottir
        • Havard Grimwaldson
          • Father:
            • Grimwald Hialtisson
    • Varin Hialtisson’s House
      • Varin Hialtisson
        • Father:
          • Hiatli
        • Sibling
          • Grimwald Hialtisson
          • Cnut Hialtisson (Deceased)
      • Sigvid Varinsson
        • Father:
          • Varin Hialtisson
        • Spouse:
          • Hedinfrid Jomarsdottir (Deceased)
      • Hallgerd Sigviddottir
        • Father:
          • Sigvid Varinsson
        • Mother:
          • Hedinfrid Jomarsdottir (Deceased)
      • Jofrid Sigviddottir
        • Father:
          • Sigvid Varinsson
        • Mother:
          • Hedinfrid Jomarsdottir (Deceased)
      • Griotgard Sigvidson
        • Father:
          • Sigvid Varinsson
        • Mother:
          • Hedinfrid Jomarsdottir (Deceased)
      • Solmund Sigvidson
        • Father:
          • Sigvid Varinsson
        • Mother:
          • Hedinfrid Jomarsdottir (Deceased)
      • Hosvir Sigvidson
        • Father:
          • Sigvid Varinsson
        • Mother:
          • Hedinfrid Jomarsdottir (Deceased)
      • Vigdis Sigviddottir
        • Father:
          • Sigvid Varinsson
        • Mother:
          • Hedinfrid Jomarsdottir (Deceased)
      • Skardi
        • Father:
          • Unknown
        • Mother:
          • Unknown
    • Cnut Hialtisson’s House
      • Cnut Hialtisson (Deceased)
        • Father:
          • Hiatli
        • Sibling:
          • Grimwald Hialtisson
          • Varin Hialtisson
        • Spouse:
          • Ketiloy
      • Ketiloy
        • Spouse:
          • Cnut Hialtisson (Deceased)
      • Gunnstein Cnutsson
        • Father:
          • Cnut Hialtisson (Deceased)
        • Mother:
          • Ketiloy
        • Spouse:
          • Joreid Beigarthsdottir
      • Joreid Beigarthsdottir
        • Father: Beigarth
        • Spouse:
          • Gunnstein Cnutsson
      • Skarf Cnutsson
        • Father:
          • Cnut Hialtisson (Deceased)
        • Mother:
          • Ketiloy
      • Thialfi Cnutsson
        • Father:
          • Cnut Hialtisson (Deceased)
        • Mother:
          • Ketiloy
        • Spouse:
          • Sigrid Styrkarsdottir
      • Sigrid Styrkarsdottir
        • Father:
          • Styrkar Hreinsson
        • Mother:
          • Ragnhild Hagidottir
        • Spouse:
          • Thialfi Cnutsson
        • Siblings:
          • Ulf Styrkarsson
          • Ingirid Styrkardottir
          • Bragi Styrkarsson
          • Signy Styrkarsdottir
    • Styrkar Hreinsson’s House
      • Styrkar Hreinsson
        • Father:
          • Hrein
        • Spouse:
          • Ragnhild Hagidottir
      • Ragnhild Hagidottir
        • Father:
          • Hagi
        • Spouse:
          • Styrkar Hreinsson
      • Ulf Styrkarsson
        • Father:
          • Hrein
        • Mother:
          • Ragnhild Hagidottir
        • Spouse:
          • Torhild
        • Siblings:
          • Ingirid Styrkardottir
          • Sigrid Styrkarsdottir
          • Bragi Styrkarsson
          • Signy Styrkarsdottir
      • Torhild
        • Spouse:
          • Ulf Styrkarsson
      • Bjornulf Ulfsson
        • Father:
          • Hrein
        • Mother:
          • Torhild
      • Ingirid Styrkardottir
        • Father:
          • Hrein
        • Mother:
          • Ragnhild Hagidottir
        • Siblings:
          • Ulf Styrkarsson
          • Sigrid Styrkarsdottir
          • Bragi Styrkarsson
          • Signy Styrkarsdottir
      • Bragi Styrkarsson
        • Father:
          • Hrein
        • Mother:
          • Ragnhild Hagidottir
        • Siblings:
          • Ulf Styrkarsson
          • Sigrid Styrkarsdottir
          • Ingirid Styrkardottir
          • Signy Styrkarsdottir
    • Others
      • Fridmund Bjarkisson
        • Father:
          • Bjarki
      • Gizor Saksisson
        • Father:
          • Saksis Gizorsson
        • Siblings:
          • Arnora Saksisdottir
          • Greiland Saksisdottir
          • Audbjorg Saksidottir
      • Greiland Saksidottir
        • Father:
          • Saksis Gizorsson
        • Siblings:
          • Arnora Saksisdottir
          • Gizor Saksisson
          • Audbjorg Saksidottir
      • Iarl Gerison
        • Father:
          • Geri
      • Rognvald Holmgavtsson
        • Father:
          • Holmgavts
  • Members of Koll Alriksson’s Crew and Family
    • Koll Alriksson
    • Svanhild Arnthordottir
    • Ingithora Alvisdottir
    • Arnora Saksisdottir
    • Veleif Kollson
    • Halldora Cnutdottir
    • Thorballa Cnutdottir
    • Aldis Veleifsdottir
    • Estrid Veleifsdottir
    • Hunbogi Veleifson
    • Asvor Veleifsdottir
    • Bolla Veleifsdottir
    • Frida Kollsdottir
    • Svafar Kollson
    • Hallgerd Sigviddottir
    • Tofa Odinkardottir
    • Gudrik Svafarson
    • Hilde Savafarsdottir
    • Greiland Kollsdottir
    • Yngvild Kollsdottir
    • Saxi Kollson
    • Arnbjorg Thorstardottir
    • Geirlaug Thorhalldottir
    • Starolf Saxison
    • Asfrid Kollsdottir
    • Asgerd Kollsdottir
    • Gilli Kollson
    • Hallberta Thorstardottir
    • Jofrid Sigviddottir
    • Tyrkir Kollson
    • Oddny Throstdottir
    • Hallgrim Tyrkirson
  • Members of Einar Alriksson’s Crew and Family
    • Einar Alriksson
    • Skuf Alriksson
    • Freydis
    • Vog Einarson
    • Eystein Einarson
    • Thorgunna Einardottir
    • Gudfrid Einardottir
    • Trandil
    • Shanyrria
    • Broddi Svalfisson
    • Asny Thorhalldottir
    • Thorstar Ulfbjornsson
  • Members of Throst Thorhallson’s Crew and Family
    • Throst Thorhallson
    • Armod
    • Asvor Throstdottir
    • Alfdis Throstdottir
    • Arngunn Throstdottir
    • Oddny Throstdottir
    • Asdis Throstdottir
    • Alfeid Throstdottir
  • Other mentioned characters of the Kraken Clan
    • Brynhild Svartkollrdottir
    • Thorvir Stormborn
    • Rodmar Asulfson
    • Gorm Thorgilsson
    • Inga Gormsdottir
    • Moldof Thorgilsson
    • Sigeric Thorgilsson
    • Kotkel Thorgilsson
    • Kodran Steinmodsson
    • Thrain Haklangsson

Other Important Human Northerners

  • Wolf Clan
    • Bjarni Vikarsson
    • Vidkunn Bjarnisson
    • Thorgrim Vidkunnsson
    • Thorvor Geirmundottir
    • Arnthor Thorgrimsson
    • Asa Vidkunnsdottir
    • Thorhall Vidkunnsson
    • Alfdis Saksidottir
    • Dalla Vidkunnsdottir
    • Gadaric Vidkunnsson
    • Asny Bjarnidottir
    • Siv Mylaerdottir
    • Baldric Mylaerson
    • Oddim Bronzehammer
  • Ice Clan
    • Kadal Bothvarsson
    • Ulfeid Vebrandottir
    • Ealhstan Kadalsson
    • Eawyn
    • Scyra: The White Wolf
    • Thyia
  • The Builder Clan
    • Trefor Treharne
    • Asgrim Treharne
    • Kadal Treharne
    • Osvald
    • Gyda
  • The Giant Clan
    • Kveldulf
    • Thyre
    • Bergthor
  • The Valkyrie Clan
    • Dasyra Ragnarsdottir
    • Almedha Dasyrasdottir
    • Amalgunda
    • Amalasontha
    • Tonna
    • Baggisli Bronzehammer
  • Yeti Clan (Non-Human)
    • Longhorn = Ukam
    • White-hair = Fenebom
    • Short-snubs = Ulluc
    • Blue-Eyes = Shuli
    • Shuli’s daughter = Sheko
    • Shuli’s son = Aruhn
    • Shuli’s deceased mate = Bollelos

High Elves

  • Main Character
    • Lura Sylanna
      • Father:
        • Tanyl Syllana
      • Mother:
        • Lixiss
  • Lethvelion’s Thief Guild
    • Lethvelion
    • Haerzis
    • Larongar
    • Olaurae
    • Zaos
    • Aimar
    • Saevel
    • Delmuth
    • Dakath
    • Filarion
    • Akkar
    • Phraan
    • Elas
    • Rothilion
    • Haryk
    • Nasir
    • Kesefeon
    • Erolith
    • Valindra
    • Renna
    • Minpireth
  • Low Town Trinite Brothel
    • Madame Faralene
    • Zaralraden
    • Tyma
    • Alisenda
    • Caeninita
    • Maenirin
    • Maginka
    • Maenalasa
    • Gisrae
    • Nambra
  • Church of the Light
    • Holy Prophet of the Light
      • Terel Glarespell
    • High Mother
      • Mathienne Naesalor
    • High Father
      • Arbelladon Warmspear
    • Mothers of the Light
      • Vedana Oddheart
      • Nostra Longswitch
      • Kynice Radiantshield
      • Aule Brasstruth
      • Chaetris Rapidbirth
      • Amaranthae
    • Fathers of the Light
      • Anfather
      • Selvelion Duskwood
      • Colvardonn
      • Riluaneth Waeszeiros
      • Fylson Greran
    • Archbishop
      • Goren Wranyarus
    • Bishops
      • Eldaerenth Yllayarus
      • Centhune
      • Bialaer
      • Erlareo
      • Sarya Morsandoral
      • Ayre
      • Devdan
      • Velethuil Carxalim
    • Mentioned or Important Sisters of the Light
      • Lynfeah
      • Daemys
      • Damaris
      • Amoann Darkbell
      • Jereno
    • Mentioned Accepted
      • Olizara Greatgazer
      • Meifinas
      • Glarald Balris
      • Fhaornik Venxidor
      • Helekharise
      • Illianaro
    • Accepted Strays
      • Haemyish
      • Laenane
      • Halaema
      • Leilatha
      • Illianaro
      • Voborrie
    • Novice Non-Strays
      • Zarlatha Arcaneseeker
      • Ilethana
    • Novice Strays
      • Lyrring
      • Bemarlene Emberwish
      • Qigwynn
      • Rinehish
      • Faineris
      • Terafeah
      • Aithneris
      • Chalia Eilroris
      • Cheyoise
      • Charinva
      • Hubys
      • Inhepireth
      • Ochilysse
      • Therlu
      • Biremeril
      • Terelor
      • Brenrila
      • Chumye
      • Fenaimh
    • Important Paladins
      • Orym
  • Golden High Elf Trading Company
    • Admiral Myrdin Sylkas
    • Captain Faidhor Haryrwen
    • Captain Gorwin Glynydark
  • The Royal Family of the High Elves
    • Former King Volodar Morric
    • Queen Immianthe Morric
    • Prince Faelar Morric
    • Princess Ariana Morric

List of Important Items

Artifacts

  • The Sacred Hammer
  • Hammer of Justice
  • the Divine Sword
  • Amulet of the Sun
  • Dagger of Dread
  • Pendant of Strength
  • Hammer of Justice
  • Hreitharr’s Hammer (Hammer of the Dwarven Builder God)
  • Magical Orbs

Raw Materials mentioned

  • Metals
    • Nedraetium (Glow Ore)
    • Steel
    • Iron
  • Fungi
    • Luminescent Emerald Mushrooms (Glow Mushrooms)
  • Fruit
    • Tazzle Berries
    • Tingle Fruit

 Creatures of Aratheon

  • Civilized Races
    • Elven
      • High Elves.
      • Wood Elves
      • Drow Elves
      • Dark Elves
    • Kar Species (Cat People)
    • Dwarves
      • Mountain Dwarves
      • Sand Dwarves
    • Humans
      • Northern Clans
      • Southern Kingdom
      • Borderlanders
      • Islanders
    • yeti
    • Jotnar Giants
    • Orcs
    • Goblins
    • Gunduar
    • Spider Folk
  • Indiginous Species
    • The Shifting Sands of the High Elven Kingdom
      • Crown Bird
    • The Northern Timberlands
      • Brown Tusk Bear
      • Dire Wolves
      • Mountain Goats
  • Non-Indiginous Species
    • Wendigo (Shadow Stalkers)

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Trivia Questions

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Be the first to email aratheon@aratheon.com with the answers to the following trivia questions and earn points that can win you prizes along with getting your name added to a running scoreboard. Be the first to answer the question right and you’ll have your name listed below the question on the website. The first person to answer each question gets their name under the question next to the right answer.

  1. What symbol does Thorkel carves into the tools/weapons he makes?
  2. What are the first and last names of the three dwarves who do the blacksmithing for the northern clans? 
  3. What are the names of the elven slaves that reside within the Keep of the Kraken Clan?
  4. Who are Earl Beorcol’s brothers? 
  5. Which one of Earl Beorcol’s brothers was exiled? 
  6. What items does Bothvar have in his room? 
  7. What relation does Damaris have with Chalia? 
  8. What’s the name of the owner of the Brothel Lura works at? 
  9. What’s the name of the person who wrote the first book that Lura must read as a Novice? 
  10. What are the items Lura reads about on her first day in the Church?
  11. What’s the name of the Admiral that prays at the Church? 
  12. Who are the Mothers and Fathers of the church? 
  13. What are the clans of the Human Northerners? 
  14. Who are the clan leaders of the Human Northerners?
  15. Who’s the king of the Southern Human Kingdom? 
  16. Who’s the king of the High Elves that was exiled? 
  17. What is the name of the elf that enslaves Lura? 
  18. Who’s all on Bothvar’s crew? 
  19. Who becomes Thormar’s slave? 
  20. Who are all of Damaris’s strays? 
  21. What is the glow ore called? 
  22. What is Ralodan called in his dreams? 
  23. What are the names of the books that the Novices must read and who wrote them? 
  24. What is the name of the hammer Bothvar finds in the Mountain? 
  25. What is Gorm’s fate?
  26. What kind of magic does Bothvar’s protection work against?

Broken Souls – Chapter 78

fantasy, fantasy novel, Fantasy book, Fantasy story, elves, vikings, Viking Raid,

Bothvar Beorcolsson

We’ve been at sea for several days, following my father’s instructions. We follow the route of the ship we seek. Days go by as we sail the all but empty seas. Those whales never stop following us. For some odd reason, it feels reassuring to have them with us. As if Thora is among us.

The crew has kept busy playing pranks on the Wolf pup. Thialfi especially. He’s fallen back on his old tricks, putting dung in the boy’s boots along with hiding his stuff. The ship is big enough for him to be quite successful in doing so.

However, not all seem to spend their time picking on him. Thormar seems to have befriended the Wolf pup. I see the two chatting with each other on several occasions. They seem to have a lot to talk about.

The crew has taken a liking to his little pet cat-person thingy. I’ve seen others like it. It walks like a human and is just as tall as one, but looks like a cat. Sometimes it even acts like one, licking itself. The crew, especially the women, think it’s adorable. They spoil the thing, feeding it and petting it while they have time. Gadaric invites it, and that seems to have won over some of the women to his side. Especially Joreid, Greiland, and Ingirid. Those three have started to look after the Wolf pup as if he were a little brother, harping on Thialfi whenever he tries to pull one of his pranks on him. Although Joreid has never needed a reason to harp on Thialfi. She might be married to his older brother, Gunnstein, but the two of them have never gotten along really well.

Gizor, on the other hand, has become a little less welcoming. Especially with his sister all but fawning over the boy. I’m just glad it’s his sister fawning over him and not my own. Wouldn’t put it past Gizor to slit the boy’s throat in his sleep. I’ll need to keep an eye on him. The only reason he hasn’t killed Gudleif for cheating on his other sister is because the two have always been close friends.

Thankfully, Rognvald does a good job of keeping everyone from killing each other for the most part. I don’t know how I’d do it without the man. He’s a good first mate. The best. Thormar needs to find a man like him if he wishes to be successful going west. A man with experience and a backbone.

It also helps to have friends like Solmund, Griotgard, and Skardi here as well. They always have my back when conflict arises. When Thialfi crosses the line, which he often does, Solmund and Griotgard always set him straight. Although Griotgard joins his pranks, more often than not he knows the line, unlike Thialfi. Skardi also is good at calming people down. He always knows the right things to say. Especially with Griotgard and his constant pursuit of women. Ingirid has come very close to chopping off his balls; luckily Skardi came in to settle the issue. Thankfully, Ingirid respects Skardi. Most people do. He might be a few arrows short of a full quiver, but no one would say he lacks wisdom. He sees things that others do not.

He’s also good at settling conflicts. Especially between the Cnutssons. Thialfi, Skarf, and Gunnstein who are always at each other’s throats. Especially since Thialfi knows exactly how to pull the other’s bowstrings and set them off. And Gunnstein’s bowstring is already quite taught. It doesn’t take much for him to snap at Thialfi.

As much as Thialfi can be a nuisance at times, he does often lighten the mood. Especially since we’ve been at sea for days without seeing any action. The mundane repetitiveness wears men’s resolve down and makes them irritable. A lot of them have become on edge, as if they are looking for any excuse to fight. Thankfully, we have a few slave whores for them to take out their frustrations on, and as much as I do not enjoy the idea of it, I can see why it is necessary.

As the days go on, I spend time in my little cabin, studying the maps and plans. Thormar often joins me. He might not be the best fighter, but he has a sharp mind. Rognvald also joins me, along with Skardi. We’ve gone over the plans over and over again. We all consider the possibility of them having more ships than we expected, but we all agree to engage and at least attempt to try our new weapon against them before we do any sort of retreat. Everyone agrees they are unlikely to pursue with their important cargo.

More days go by and the men are restless. Eager to fight. Tension grows between the men and some fights have broken out. Gunnstein nearly tossed Thialfi overboard. Thankfully, Griotgard and Solmund stopped him.

I had to get in front of Gizor when he tried to bash the Wolf pup’s skull in. I’m sure Vidkunn wouldn’t have liked that. Luckily, Greiland calmed him down enough to see reason.

The days go on and we’ve gone through more water than I have expected. I have to keep a closer watch on it.

Just when things start to boil over with tension, Skardi nearly stumbles down from the perch on top of the mass. “Ships! There are ships in the far distance.”

I grab him to pull him near. “How many?”

“A lot more than we expected. They outnumber us two to one.”

“Ornulf’s beard.” I look over to the other ships, meeting Koll’s eyes before looking over at Throst and Einar. We all seem to nod in agreement. “Let’s continue with the plan.”

Skardi nods as Rognvald blows a horn. Koll and Throst circle wide in opposite directions while Einar and we continue straight. Father’s words enter my thoughts. When the fighting begins, look east and you will find relief. What does he mean?

The ships get closer and warning shots are fired with their ballistae. They’ve got seven ships surrounding the one we’re after. “Ready your weapons and armor. Ready the ballista and slings.”

The crew scrambles, preparing for a fight as I put on my chest plate and helm and attach my weapons to my belt. “We fight our way in until we can board the ship with the prize.”

The crew roars, ready to fight. Thormar and Gadaric follow like lost pups behind me. I turn to face them. “You should stay with the ship.”

“Not a chance, brother. I’ll be right behind you,” Thormar says, even though I see the fear in his eyes.

“I am no coward,” Gadaric says. His face is stern, but the fear lingers in his eyes as well.

“Very well, stay close,” I say.

Einar and our ship get into range, and I give the signal to fire. The slings and ballistae release. Thankfully, the other ships do not have front-facing weapons. The flaming balls of grease land and, just as I thought, they try putting them out with water, making them burst in flame, catching ropes and sails on fire. To my amazement, sharks and killer whales swarm the water, tearing apart any elves that flee the flames into the sea. Is this Thora’s work? But we are still vastly outnumbered and even with our new weapons, I fear we may be defeated.

Then a horn blows in the far distance to the east. I follow the sound to see four more ships sailing towards us. Ships I recognize as our own. Viking ships. A close look and I know who they are. Athils, Steinunn, Kiogrim and Geitirgest’s ships. They’ve come to aid us and their aid is most welcomed. Father is a brilliant man. This was his plan all along. That is what he meant when he said to look to the east for relief.

Throst and Koll engage the ships to the wings as the enemy scrambles to prepare for the four newcomers. The two ships in front of us bathe in flames under the constant assault of our slings. They take less time to reload than the ballistae and can fire several rounds before one bolt is fired with the ballista. And the grease fires quickly spread throughout the ship, sinking them and clearing us a path as sharks and whales devour the victims in the water. The crew points them out. “Don’t worry, Thora has sent them to aid us. I have no doubt about it.”

They seem to accept that. All of them were there at my wedding when Sigvor prophesied the Daughter of the Sea. Some have even witnessed her strange abilities.

“Ready the hooks!” I shout. The crew scrambles to load the ballistae with the bolts that have chains attached, while others get on the opposite ballistae and slings, firing on the ships to the right of us as we prepare to board the merchant ship. Thankfully, Koll and Throst manage to grab their attention with their own flaming grease balls. Setting their ships aflame.

The four newcomers engage just as we manage to get our hooks sunk into the ship with the treasure we seek. It’s a complete slaughter as the other ships sink in flames.

“Prepare to board. Get ready for a fight!” I shout as I get ready to rush the ship, shield in hand as Joreid, Greiland, and Ingirid put the planks in place. As soon as they’re set, I charge across, collecting bolts and arrows on my shield before I ram against an elf, my blade finding a home in his thigh. I toss him aside and slash the man behind him across the chest. I can feel the amulet grow freezing cold and find an elf in robes with his glowing blue eyes wide and his mouth hanging agape in fear. I dodge a sword cutting down and stab the wielder in the throat before I charge the wizard and cut off his head, making his shocked expression permanent.

Gadaric, Gizor, Thormar, Rognvald, Gudleif, Ulf, Gunnstein, Thialfi, Skarf, Sigvid, and his two sons, Griotgard and Solmund, all follow, cutting down the ones who escaped my sword. Einar and his crew come rushing in from the other side, squashing them in a vise. The ship is by far the biggest I’ve ever seen and has five separate decks. Einar and I meet eyes and exchange nods. I signal most to head down to the second deck while Einar, Vog, Sigvid, and I charge into the door on the main deck as our men charge below.

As soon as we enter, we’re flung to the sides as a foul smell of burnt hair fills the air. What in the name of the gods…

Vog stumbles in behind us and is lifted off the ground and tossed aside. Sigvid barrels in behind and is also lifted into the air but gets pulled to the side and impaled on a blade before being tossed aside like a bone after the meat has been torn off.

“No!” I growl. I thought our amulets protect us against magic. I saw their work and felt it.

An elf with burning red eyes, holding a blade soaked in Sigvid’s blood stands behind us with another elven woman at his feet wearing a collar. Her eyes are green.

I let out a roar as I leap to my feet along with Einar and Vog, but we’re lifted into the air and suspended there. The elf gives us a sadistic grin as he steps forward. All three of us struggle to break free of his magic. What kind of magic is this to get past our amulets? It must be some kind of forbidden magic. That’s why his eyes burn red. The foul elf, I’ll make him pay. He lifts his blade, and I am pulled slowly towards it. It’s aimed at my chest. My struggling intensifies as I try to break free of his tainted magic.

I can feel it against my skin and there is a wrongness to it. The blade inches closer and closer to my chest. I can’t move my arms to stop it. I struggle to no avail.

The red eyed demon only laughs. “You fools. You dare attack me? Do you not realize who I am? I’m Ba’theas Keenreaver! Now you shall die.”

He won’t see any fear on my face. I welcome death. I’ll finally be reunited with my Arngunn. The blade comes into contact with my armor and… The blend bends, not being able to pierce my armor. I laugh and spit in his face.

The elf’s face contorts in a snarl. He then pulls back his sword to slash my exposed throat, but his head gets separated from his body as blood sprays out like a spring. Einar, Vog, and I drop to the floor, released from the magic as Trandil stands behind the elf, covered in his blood, his hand shaking with a blood-stained sword.

“Never have I ever been so happy to see you, boy!” Einar says just as the boy’s eyes roll back into his head and he falls backward, unconscious. “For the love of the gods. The boy saves our lives and then shames himself.”

“I’m not complaining,” I say, looking down at my chest plate. Not even a scratch. Thank the gods for this glow metal.

“What should we do with the collared elf?” Vog asks.

“Let the boy have her. He’s earned her,” I say as I step over him and out of the cabin. It seems the fighting is all over. I head down below to find Thormar in a side room with a dead boy at his feet, around his own age. A naked woman with skin as dark as night stands huddled on the ground in front of him. She looks like she just got whipped. He offers her his hand, and she reluctantly takes it. I look at the dead and sigh. “Don’t tell me that’s the lordling we’re after, Thormar?”

He looks back at me with the woman in his arms. “I had no choice, brother. He attacked, and I killed him.”

I sigh. There goes our ransom. I head down to the next deck to find the men sorting through the slaves to be sold. Gizor drags a struggling elven woman behind him with her hands bound in front of her. “I’m going to fuck this one real good.”

I pity her, but I… I see her face and my heart stops. Arngunn? It can’t be, but it is her face. There’s no doubt about it. Even though her eyes glow bright blue and are full of tears, she has the same cute, little nose and delicate chin. And her cheeks are nice and soft, just like Arni’s. Is it really her?

“Stop!” Gizor looks up at me, questioning. “Get another one. This one is mine.”

“But… Skipper. I want to fuck this one,” he says with a look of disappointment.

“Does the Captain not get the first claim?” I ask.

He reluctantly nods. “Besides, you weren’t going to claim here, just fuck her, weren’t you?”

He shrugs and nods. “Slaves are too costly to keep. But can’t I just have a go at her and then you can take her?”

“No! She is mine! You can find another to bone,” I say and he sighs, handing her over. I grab her and look down into those bright, shimmering, blue eyes. They’re full of fear, yet there’s a glimmer of hope in them. It’s as if I’m staring right into Arngunn’s face. How can this be? I know this can’t be her, but it really feels like it is.

But just then, a loud crash goes off behind us further down the deck. I barely get a second to look to see the wizard jump up and send a wicked, hot wind. I barely have time to shove Arni out of the way before I’m sent back, barreling into a beam. A foul scent ascends into the air. A scent I’ve smelled before with the wizard on the main deck. I pull myself up to my knees as I see the wizard walking toward me. His eyes burn red. For the sake of the gods, not this again.

He yanks me into the air, suspending me before him and as he walks closer a tight force wraps around my neck, strangling me.

Before I realize it, Arni stabs a dagger deep into the weasel-face wizard’s neck. She quickly let’s go and backs away as I fall to the ground, gasping for air.

Blood gushes out of the wizard elf’s neck as he drops to the ground, holding his throat. Life leaves his eyes as he goes limp. Arni goes to grab the dagger, but I pull her aside, putting myself between the wizard dying on the ground and Arni. I look back at her, realizing I’ve been thinking of her as Arni, but she’s an elf… She just looks like her. It must be some kind of magic or something. Even so, there’s something more to her… I feel like I’ve known her before. Not as Arni, but as someone else. Someone in my dreams. A woman with that same golden hair and shimmering blue eyes. Just like Arni. And yet, I feel a bit of caution. She just stabbed that wizard in the neck with a dagger. Where did she get it? Does she have another one? She could’ve used it on me. I am under no illusion that she is Arni. This elf is willing to kill. Arni would never…

I yank the dagger out of the wizard’s neck and clean it off on his robes. I tuck it into my belt. Then I check her for more weapons. She struggles and pushes me away. “Don’t touch me.”

“Hey Bothvar, you’ll want to see this,” Skardi says. I walk down to the next deck and gasp in amazement. Skardi kneels down in front of an open chest full of gold coins. Behind him, the deck is stacked from floor to ceiling with similar chests.

“By Ornulf’s beard. Father was right. This is more gold than we’ve ever seen before.”

“Shall we start hauling it over?” Skardi asks.

“No. That will take too long. We’ll just take the ship itself. It’s still sailable,” I say.

“That is wise,” Skardi says as he pockets a rather large ruby.

I drag the woman up the stairs to find Thormar carrying his dark-skinned woman as she clings to him.

I meet Einar on the Main deck as a wobbling Trandil stands behind him holding onto the leash of the elven slave.

“I see you found yourself a prize,” Einar says before his eyes narrow as he stares at her face. He mumbles under his breath. “Ornulf’s beard.”

Does he see it too? Does he see that she looks like Arngunn? I can’t be the only one. It can’t be all in my head. I shake the thought. “I have the crews securing the ship. We’ll take it back with us. There’s enough gold to make everyone rich after father takes his share.”

“You don’t say,” Einar says, shaking his head as a grin appears.

“The bottom deck is filled from floor to ceiling with chests of gold and gems.” Einar’s eyes go wide and drool slips from his lips.

“Signal for the other ships to turn around. Let’s secure the ship as fast as we can and make haste for home.” He nods as he gives orders to his crew. I drag the elven woman behind me as I cross over to my ship and head into my quarters. Then I take a chain attached to the wall and secure it to her collar with enough slack to let her sleep in the bed. I can’t stop staring at her face. Why does she look so much like the one I love? Have I lost my mind? What does it all mean?

To be continued in Book 2 of Seasons of the Cycle: Shattered Souls.

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fantasy, fantasy novel, Fantasy book, Fantasy story, elves, vikings

Broken Souls – Chapter 77

fantasy, fantasy novel, Fantasy book, Fantasy story, elves, vikings

Lura Syllana

It’s not long before I’m on a ship with a bunch of other people to be sold as slaves. We were all stuffed below deck, locked behind bars. I’ve completely lost hope. Instead of feeling sorry for myself, drowning myself in grief or anger, I let go of everything. I stop caring altogether. There’s nothing left to care about. I’m completely broken inside.

I watch as sailors and others cram the ship with goods. A human lordling boards and inspects us before he takes his place within a private room.

I sit in the corner of a cell on a rocky ship among other sorry souls on our way to endure a life of abuse and only the Light knows what else.

I don’t know how long goes by. They feed us slop and make us fight amongst ourselves to get a portion. If that wasn’t bad enough, I’ve seemed to catch the eye of an apprentice mage to a lord. A weasel faced man with buck teeth and droopy, pointed ears. He wears robes of red. “You’re pretty. Maybe I can have some good fun before you’re sold off to the whorehouses in Chillshore. The Gods only know what they’ll do to ya. Desperate lot, they are.”

Fortunately, the Captain intervenes. “Unless you have the money to buy her, don’t touch the merchandise. Off with ya.”

The little elven snob of a mage scuffs at him. “Do you not know who I am? I serve the lord Ba’theas Keenreaver. You don’t want to get on my bad side. I’ll soon be a lord myself.”

“I don’t care if you’re the son of the old King Volodar himself. If you ain’t got the money, you ain’t getting the merchandise!” The captain says.

The elf just huffs. “We’ll see.”

He storms off and the captain spits on the ground. “Lousy lordlings. The lot of them.”

Days go by as we continue on to the north. It’s hard to keep track of time as the boat creaks and bobs. Several of the other poor souls get sick and spill the little in their stomachs on the cell floor, making it stink of foulness.

We make a stop along some human town up the channel between the pirate sea and the dead sea. I think the town is called Littleband.

The human lordling gets off the ship along with the sailors. I don’t know how long we will stay here. But eventually, the lordling returns with a lady human with dark chocolate skin. She seems to fancy him as she goes with him into his private room.

However, as we take off to return to our journey north, I hear something downright sickening. Whimpers and screams come from the room. Every now and again he comes out and I can barely see within the room to find the poor girl tied up and whipped. Why such cruelty?

The mage’s apprentice comes back down at some point, sneering at me. “Want some food, bitch? I’ll give you plenty if you wrap those lips around my cock.”

I ignore him. His taunts get nothing from me. I feel nothing. There’s nothing left of me to feel. I’m no less of a shell than Orym’s body was when they sent it to the Light. I suppose there might be one good thing to come out of this. Maybe I will be reunited with my family.

Suddenly, horns blow, and chaos erupts above. It’s hard to tell what’s going on as the crew scrambles up to the main deck. The apprentice goes up and a minute later comes scrambling down. He looks around until he hides under a blanket like a coward. A moment later, one of the crew falls down the stairs, limp. Blood pours out of his neck. Savages covered in furs, wearing metal helmets and holding large round wooden shields come rushing down after him. Several of the crew who were down here rush to attack them and get butchered by their axes and swords. One of the crew members falls to the floor, his dagger sliding at my feet. I grab it and hide it in my sleeve. The fight seems to die down as the giant savages unlock the cages and go through the barrels and chests. A rather large red-haired savage looks down upon me with a wicked grin. “Well, look at what we have here. You’re a pretty one. You’ve got a familiar face about you. I think I’ll have some fun with ya before someone claims ya. I definitely can’t keep another slave. Too expensive.” He grabs the forearm in which I have the dagger concealed, making it impossible to use. I’m dragged behind him, my heart panicking in my chest. I will not endure the abuse of another man. I’d rather die. Fear grips my heart as I remember the stories about these Northern savages. Cannibals they are. At least the ones called Bone Eaters. I can’t die like this. As soon as he lets go, I’ll slit his throat and then mine.

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Broken Souls – Chapter 76

fantasy, fantasy novel, Fantasy book, Fantasy story, elves, vikings

Bothvar Beorcolsson

After we grab a bite to eat, we spend the rest of the day, making preparations

The day goes by slowly. More double-checking everything. More talking. And more planning and more lectures.

By the time we finish, the sun has gone to bed. Then father sends me out to check everything we’ve already checked more than a dozen times. Even more time checking the boat. Going over the supplies. Checking the water. And on and on.

I finally get a big plate of food from Semet back at the hall before mother comes scrambling in. “Have you seen Svala? I can’t find her anywhere.”

After grabbing a leg of smoked turkey, I walk out of the hall with a sigh. Giving the air a sniff, I look at the ground to see a tiny boot print that has to be hers. I follow it all the way to a side gate out to the south that was added during the rebuild. I continue to follow her tracks and gain her scent. A smell of that nauseating oil she puts on that gives off a sharp fruity smell.

I follow the path through the woods until it stops at a large tree. The tracks completely disappear. I walk all the way around the tree and find no more footprints. They just end at the tree. I look at the tree and see a ladder built into the tree. Looking up, there’s a house built on the tree. How have I never noticed this? I try to climb up it but the ladder breaks. The trap door opens up and Svala’s head shoots out. “You wool-brained goat. The ladder can’t support our weight!”

“How did you get up there?” I ask.

“I climbed the branches. These types of trees are the only ones strong enough to support our weight after we got strong in the mountains,” she yells down at me.

“Huh, never thought about trees holding our weight,” I say, scratching my beard. I put my thoughts aside and climb the tree. I get up inside and barely fit. Svala has to squeeze over.

She pulls her knees against her chest and gives me a dirty look. “What are you doing here? Finally, have time to talk to your little sister?”

“What are you talking about? I always have time to talk to you,” I say.

“You rarely ever have time to talk to me. Growing up, you and Thorkel were always off by yourselves and never took any of us with you. Thormar never wanted to hang out with us either because he thought he was too old. He wanted to be like you and Thorkel. For most of the time, it was only just Bodvar and me. Now it’s just me… And Thora. Sometimes. She’s a bit odd sometimes.”

“What do you mean?” I ask.

“Well, she spends a lot of time at the docks. I used to go out with her when she was younger, but she’s always out there and I don’t really want to spend all my time there.” She continues to ramble on as I struggle to figure out what it means that Thora is out there. Is she talking to those whales? Can she really talk to whales? Should I be worried? This sorta stuff is what a mother is for. I am not prepared to handle it. She’s just a little girl. She shouldn’t be out on the docks alone like that, but I can’t blame Svala. Svala is not far off from being old enough to be on the ships. Yet, I can’t help feeling that she’s safe on the docks. I can’t forget the time she fell in and was saved by that whale. I’ve seen those things kill men that fall overboard during raids.

“I just feel so alone without Bodvar.” Svala’s words bring me back to the moment. I look into her eyes to see such sadness.

“Svala, I understand your pain. I miss him too, but he will be back faster than you know it. The Wolves will beg for Gadaric back once they get stuck all winter with Bodvar. The gods only know the trouble that is in store for the Wolves.”

She laughs. “Yeah, he’ll have them looking under every seat and watching out above the doors.”

I snicker, remembering some of Bodvar’s most infamous pranks. “Especially the time he put a bucket of ice-cold sea water above Thormar’s door only for mother to walk through it. He was doing slave work for an entire season.”

She snorts from laughing so hard. “Such a cow turd. You know, Gadaric is nothing like him. But he’s not that bad. Rather friendly.”

A thought just occurred to me. I got Bodvar all excited to sleep with Vidkunn’s daughters, which would be Gadaric’s sisters. What if his brothers talked him into wanting to try to sleep with my sister?

I better keep an eye on that boy. No Wolf is going to sleep with my sister! I’ll have to sick Thora on him. She’ll teach him a lesson or two.

Thankfully, he’s coming out on the raid and won’t be anywhere near Svala. Bastard Wolves. “I’d watch out for Gadaric if I were you. You can’t trust a Wolf. Always up to something.”

She laughs. “Don’t be like father. The Wolves are not so bad.”

Ornulf’s beard, I’m too late. They’ve got their hooks into Svala. I’m going to chop Gadaric’s dick off. Bastard. “Now I wish Bodvar was here even more.”

She looks at me. “What do you mean by that?”

“Nothing. But if he were here, he’d already have the Wolf pup sleeping with one eye open,” I say.

“You really hate them, don’t you?” she asks.

“Me? I don’t hate them. I just don’t trust Gadaric. He’s not to be trusted!” At least around Svala, but I am not going to tell her that. I may be a fool, but I am not fool enough to incur a woman’s wrath. Even if she is my little sister.

“And why can’t we trust him, exactly?” she asks, leaning in.

“Ask, father. He knows why,” I say.

She narrows her eyes. “Why can’t you tell me?”

Donkey’s ass. How do I get out of this trap of hers? “If you don’t know why by now, then you are not very good at figuring things out.”

That gets her stubbornness to kick in. Her eyes turn into flames, but she doesn’t ask another question. “I’ll figure it out. I’m better than anyone here at figuring things out. You just wait and see.”

She gets up and jumps down the trapdoor, jumping from branch to branch. I jump out and slam right through the first branch and break through the rest of them on my way down. “You hairy, goats shit for brains cow pusher! You broke my way up! Nikolas is going to be pissed. I’m telling him you did it.”

“What…” I groan as I lie on the ground covered in broken branches. That hurt. The breath was forced out of my chest and I can’t get it back in.

Slowly, I force myself on my side and push myself to my feet. “Wait… Who’s Nikolas?”

She’s already halfway to the gate and I have to rush, enduring the pain shooting up my back to catch up with her. “Who’s Nikolas? And where did that fort come from? It wasn’t there when I was last out here.”

“Nickolas is from the Builder Clan. He’s our closest friend. And he built that tree fort and the rest of them,” she says as she grabs a hidden key for the side gate and pushes her way in.

That is a serious breach in our defense. “Where did you get that key? And why hide it there?”

“Bodvar made one at Aldam’s forge and he hid it there for us to use,” she says.

“That clever little fox,” I say.

She snorts a laugh as we head through the streets and alleys of Stormfront until we head into the Hall. Mother attacks us immediately. “Svala, where have you been? I’ve been worried sick. And Bothvar, you’re all dirty. Are those leaves in your beard? And there’s a twig coming out of your hair! What have you two been doing?”

“Nothing mother,” Svala says.

“Nothing at all,” I add.

“You need to take a bath. Semet. Come here please,” mother says as the slave rushes over.

She stands up straight in front of my mother with a look of admiration for the woman. “Will you do me a big favor and make sure my son takes a bath? Drag him to the bathhouse by his dirty beard if you must. He smells like shit and is about to be out at sea for only gods know how long, and I want to make sure he at least gets one good bath beforehand.”

Semet nods emphatically. “Yes, my lady. I will do as you ask. He will not go to bed until he has a bath.”

Mother smiles and nods. “I can always count on you.”

Semet grabs my arm and practically drags me out of the hall and into the bathhouse. “I saved your food for you, by the way. It is in your room.”

“Thanks,” I mumble. I’m so tired. I could fall asleep standing.

“And thank you for earlier. I appreciate what you did for me,” she says as she looks up at me with those sweet, innocent, glowing green eyes.

“Yeah, sure,” I say as we walk into the bathhouse. She then takes my clothes off. “Woah, what are you doing?”

“Lady Thorkatla asked me to give you a bath,” she says with a sincere expression.

“I think she just meant for you to make sure I get a bath, not literally bathe me,” I say.

“No, her instructions were very clear. Earlier she told me to wash you down even if I have to drag you here myself. I will do exactly as she asks, and I promised her that you wouldn’t sleep until you bathe and I meant it,” she says, fervently nodding her head. Those emerald illuminated eyes were on fire with determination.

“Why are you so loyal to my mother?” I ask.

“Because she has made me feel at home here. Even though I was but a child, I was to be sold as a slave to the whorehouse in Chillshore so the army and workers could have their share of me. Instead, I was taken by your people, and your mother took me in and treated me like I was one of her children. She protected me against men who’d want to force themselves onto me just like you have, and I can honestly say she truly cares about me. That’s more than what I could ever hope for. Besides, she gave me a friend in Arngunn. A woman who became the closest thing I’ve ever known to a sister. I’ve been quite lost without her,” she says as her eyes drift away, full of a hopeless sadness.

I nod. “I understand.”

She turns away from me and takes off her clothes. My eyes go wide as I stare at her tight little behind before I quickly turn around. Why did she just get naked? “What’s wrong?”

I turn my head in her direction. “You’re naked.”

“Isn’t that what a bathhouse is for? I can’t go in there with my clothes on,” she says.

“I guess you are right, I don’t know what I was thinking,” I say as I try not to stare at her beautiful naked body. It just feels wrong staring at her. My heart belongs to Arngunn and always will. She was one of Arni’s closest friends. I can’t be ogling at this woman, no matter how beautiful she is. One day I will die and be reunited with Arngunn. I do not want my reunion to be tainted by sleeping with another woman, especially a woman who was so close to Arni.

She takes my hand and leads me into the pool of water. I’m pushed down on the bench as she takes a cloth and wipes down my skin. “Your mother is very worried about you.”

I look up into those compassionate green eyes. “She thinks you’re drowning in the loss of those who’ve passed away.”

“And what do you think?” I ask.

She pauses as she looks into my eyes. “Arngunn is a woman worth losing yourself in. I owe her much and valued her kindness, and I miss her so much. I can’t imagine how hard it has been for you. It has certainly been hard for me. After she died, I was lost. I still am, but your mother took me back and has been helping me come to terms. She said that keeping your mind busy helps lessen the pain of loss. So, I’ve been trying my best to stay busy. To be of use, but it is hard.”

She bites her lip as she closes her eyes. Then she opens them to meet mine. “I don’t know how you do it. You keep fighting on and on while staying so loyal to her. All I can think about is how much it hurts without her. She was my entire life. I don’t know what to do without her. Your mother told me to tend to you. She said maybe we can help each other’s hearts live again.”

She then continues to wash me, pausing with every scar she comes across. The look of worry burdens her eyes. “Is that why you are here? To help my heart live again?”

“If that is what you wish. I would certainly be willing to try,” she says as she kneels down to wash my calves and feet.

“I don’t think there is anything you can do to help with that. My heart is Arngunn’s and always will be. I don’t think I can give my broken heart to another. There’s nothing left of it. At least not in my chest. It’s in Arni’s hands. One day I will be reunited with her and finally feel it beating back in my chest. I won’t let myself go astray with another and taint our reunion,” I say as I peer into her eyes to make sure she understands. 

She nods, avoiding my gaze. “I understand and I admire that. You’re a good man, Bothvar. It pains me knowing I might not see her again if I’m not allowed into the halls of your gods.”

I chew on my lip as I remember what I told her when we were just children the day father brought her back from raiding. I told her that her parents were in Niflheim suffering because they were not of our faith and they would never be in the halls of the gods. How could I say such things? I was such a fool boy.

She finishes washing me in silence before we dry off and walk back to the hall without speaking. Before we walk in, I take her hand and look into those glowing, green eyes. “No one knows for certain what may come after this life. Who knows, maybe you will find your place next to Arni and me, wherever it may be. I hope that is true.”

She smiles and hugs me. I hesitantly wrap my arms around her and hold her for a long time before we break apart. She wipes the tears from her cheeks before we walk back in. “And Semet, you’re more than welcome to stay in my room while we’re out at sea. If anyone gives you trouble for it, tell my mother. I’ll speak with her before I go.”

She nods, biting her lip as her face blooms red. Then we head inside. I eat the food she left me in my room before I finally get some sleep.

As morning finally comes, I am up and ready. We’ve made the last checks and are all ready to set out. I say my farewell to my family. My mother pulls me into her arms as if I were a little boy once more.

My father gives me a hug even a bear couldn’t match. “Just remember this, son. When the fighting begins, look east and you will find relief.”

Once again, my father loves to leave his last words in riddles. I nod and act as if I know exactly what he’s talking about.

Svala tries to act tough, but tears stroll down her eyes. She relents and buries herself into my chest. I pat her head and whisper into her ear. “Just one more season and you’ll be joining me.”

That gets a smile. “You just wait, brother. I’ll be the greatest Viking there is and I will make you proud.”

“I don’t doubt it,” I say with a smile as Thormar trails behind me. My mother doesn’t seem to want to let him go.

My Aunt Sigvor gives me another big hug. “Take care of yourself and make sure you wear the protection we’ve made. I will not see you harmed. Got it?”

I nod and smile. She returns it. “Good. Watch after your brother and make sure my sister does nothing stupid. Ingithora has always been such a risk taker.”

I laugh and nod. I look around but don’t see the little one. “Where is Thora?”

The others look around as well, but then I spot her. She staggers over under the weight of three giant packs. “Wait for me! I’m coming and you can’t stop me.”

“If she’s coming, so am I,” Svala says as she turns to go back to the hall but is stopped by my mother.

I roll my eyes, but a laugh escapes my lips. “Neither of you are old enough to come. Besides, who will stay to watch after the old folks? Someone needs to keep them on their toes and make trouble.”

Thora drops her packs. “But… It is my destiny. I’m supposed to be a Viking, just like my father. Besides, you need me! Who’s going to make sure you don’t do stupid things?”

I sigh as I walk up to the little girl and kneel down. “Thora. You know I can’t take you with me. Not yet. You’re nearly there. Just be patient. You still need to learn and grow before you can come. But don’t worry. There will be plenty more raids that you can conquer. You are destined to be a great Viking, but not yet. Besides, someone needs to stay here and keep Svala company. She needs you, and so do your grandfather and grandmother. And don’t forget about Aunt Sigvor. They all need you. You have to stay here and protect them. Okay?”

She wipes her tears away. “But I want to go with you.”

I take a breath and pat her head. “I know. I wish you could come too, and one day you will come with me, but not this day. Will you do me a favor?”

She shrugs. “What favor?”

“Will you stay here and look after our family? Protect them and make sure they do not do stupid things. Will you do that for me?”

She looks over at them before meeting my eyes. She nods. “I guess so. I suppose I can do that. But I swear, you better take me next time. Okay?”

“I don’t know about next time, but if you train really hard and prove to me you are ready, maybe we’ll see. Will that be, okay?”

She sighs. “I guess.”

I smile and mess up her hair. “Good. Now do not get lazy and weak while I am gone. And don’t let Svala laze around either. The both of you practice your fighting and force the old man to teach you his secret ultimate tactics. Maybe if you learn enough, we can make exceptions.”

“Really?” she asks.

I nod.

“Okay. I promise Svala and I will work so hard that we’ll finally beat you when you get back.”

I smile and nod. “I don’t believe it, but I hope you prove me wrong.”

She leaps into my chest and gives me a hug. “I will, I promise.”

I see Svala catch Thormar with a good knee to the thigh as they break apart from a hug, nearly dropping him, and I snicker before I whisper something into Thora’s ear. A wide grin appears on her face.

Thormar recovers and gets a hug from Sigvor before he goes to Thora. He’s very weary at this point and hesitates to give her a hug. Thora, on the other hand, puts on a very innocent baby face, pushing out her bottom lip. “I’m going to miss you, Uncle Thorma. Are you going to bring me back a gift? Bothvar said he will.”

“Of course, I will,” he says with a smile.

She nods approvingly. “Good, now give me a hug!”

He leans down and gives her a hug, but just as they break apart, she gives him a swift kick to the jewels and drops him. Both Svala and I burst out laughing.

“Bothvar! Seriously?” Mother says with a look that could put a draugr back into its grave.

I only shrug. Then I pick up Thormar from the ground. “Come on, little brother. We have to be off.”

We board the ship, and I take a roll call. Once I’m sure everyone is here, including the Wolf pup who has seen fit to bring his little cat pet. We set sail with Koll, Einar, and Throst’s ships at our side.

I catch Thormar looking back as both Svala and Thora stand at the end of the docks. Then something I don’t expect happens. Thora leaps into the water, sending my heart into my throat. “Thora!”

Suddenly she emerges on the back of one of those whales. The black and white killers of the sea and it races up next to us. “What in the name of the gods, girl!”

The men are all wide-eyed as they watch her, just as stunned as I am. Even mother, father, and Sigvor scramble to the end of the docks with the jaws dragging at their feet.

I hear whispers among my men. All seem to say the same thing. The Daughter of the Sea.

I shout at her. “Thora. What are you doing?”

“I want to see you off.”

“Go back, you crazy little girl.”

“Ahhh, but…”

“No buts! Have your whale take you back!”

“Okay… Come on, Kyki, let’s go back to the docks,” she says, patting the whale on the back. It turns around and heads back to the docks. That crazy girl. I watch in amazement as she’s delivered to the docks. She says something to the whale before she’s pulled off by my father and mother. That’s when I notice there are several other whales following behind. They start to follow us. How can she do that? She talks to them as if they were people and they listen. She truly is the Daughter of the Sea, but what does that mean?

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fantasy, fantasy novel, Fantasy book, Fantasy story, elves, vikings